After many years of disappearance in the USA, in the mid 1980’s the E.F.S. Marketing Associates of Farmingdale NY was one of the few USA companies who was granted permission to import DAM trolls (Dam Things Aps) from Denmark back into the U.S.A. Many of these newer DAM’s were re-sold under the registered name of “Adopt-A-Norfin,” they came with distinctive turquoise blue hang-tags. The NORFIN name was registered to the E.F.S Marketing Company (the NORFIN trademark name was- filed on Dec 30, 1982 and cancelled on Jan 22, 2005. For reference/source please refer to U.S. Patent & Trademark website– use TESS search trademark option, basic search/new user, type in NORFIN then click on- SN 73407799). The DAM company itself had nothing to do with implementation of the NORFIN trademark/name.

The re-appearance of these DAM trolls was eagerly accepted by the baby-boomers from the 1960’s who remembered these trolls from their childhood. But there was still stiff competition at this time with the knock-off trolls already being sold in the U.S.A., by various companies like Wishnik, Uneeda, Applause and Russ Berrie. Shown below are shown a few of the Norfins that were sold from mid 1980’s to early 1990’s. The majority of these early “Norfins” had FELT clothing, with a few exceptions like the anatomically correct baby troll dolls. Most of these DAM trolls, were made in Denmark but a few are marked as- Made in China.

The very interesting “Storybook Troll” (#101) with The Tiny Ones Goodbye Party has the story attached to a box that has one of the smallest trolls –aka– Tiny One (3” high with synthetic hair, brown plastic eyes, 1 pc felt dress glued in back). The story details why the trolls left their homeland & set off to America, it has lovely color illustrations. The “Little Tykes” consisted of the smaller trolls with upward eyes in various outfits, synthetic hair no moving parts. There was a bunch of odd stuff such as the Norfin- Christmas stocking, digital wrist watch, magnetic glow in the dark and other Norfin troll magnets, key chains, pencil toppers, bendables, etc

Even if you can’t find the “Norfin” trolls being sold in local retail stores you can sometimes still find them on E-bay (some still have their blue tags & some don’t). Read descriptions carefully, as some folks like to make OOAK’s out of these DAM trolls (by replacing original eyes, hair & clothing with non-standard issue). Some people even dye the bodies of these trolls, most sellers are honest in their descriptions and will say if the troll has been altered or if the hair/eyes were replaced. If you are not looking for an all original DAM troll and are purchasing simply for aesthetic purposes then some of the OOAK’s are really quite stunning, E-bay is an excellent place to find many of these OOAK’s (One-Of-A-Kind) trolls. Also check out my OOAK TrollWebpage for other stunning trolls that other collectors and troll artists have made.

There are also several newer DAM trolls which can still be found in their original outfits on the secondary market for $30 and up. Most have synthetic hair but some of the girls do still have the authentic Icelandic wool hair. The newer “Skovtrold Pige med hale” tailed troll girl has genuine Icelandic wool hair on her head but her tail has synthetic hair, the boy has synthetic hair (their tails have wire in them and are poseable), their eyes are brown plastic. Some like the “Troldeviking” come with neat accessories (removable plastic horned helmet , tunic, leggings & sword). Many of the newer DAM’s can be found on E-bay or other social medias. Be sure to check Facebook there are several TROLL Collector Groups and also groups dedicated specifically to buying/selling trolls (FB groups like– Trolls For Sale! The Club to Buy & Sell Troll Dolls). These newer trolls can be easily recognized by their parchment colored tan DAM hang tags (as shown in photos below) some are made in DENMARK others are made in CHINA.